trench

noun

ˈtrench How to pronounce trench (audio)
Definition of trenchnext
as in ditch
a long narrow channel dug in the earth dug a trench and filled it with water in an attempt to keep the forest fire off her property

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trench Marie Claire calls high-collar outerwear a defining trend of fall 2026, spanning funnel-neck leather jackets, trenches, wool coats and sporty styles. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026 The Princess of Wales’ attire went more earthy, with a moss-green turtleneck jumper, brown trench and coordinated pants and boots. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026 The good news is that Amazon has plenty of styles cut just right for petite shoppers, including denim with shorter inseams, cozy cardigans that look made for you, and trench-style jackets perfect for cooler temperatures. — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026 But with campaigns romanticizing the British countryside and a new mini exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum honoring one of its greatest hallmarks, the trusty trench, Burberry is fully owning its history. — Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trench
  1. ditch
  2. gutter
  3. ravine
Noun
  • Those risks can include operating heavy mowing equipment and having to navigate roadside ditches.
    — Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Access holders say the fence has created significant problems, including trapping wildlife and diverting water from community irrigation ditches.
    — Anna Alejo, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of ditch
Noun
  • Sand-like granules collecting in gutters, curling or missing shingles, brittle or cracking shingles, sagging sections and indoor leaks or ceiling stains are the standard indicators that a roof is failing.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Mosquitoes need only one tablespoon of water to breed, so areas like rain gutters, birdbaths or buckets with stagnant water are all possible breeding sites.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of gutter
Noun
  • The standout among the entertaining spaces is the baby-blue kitchen, which extends from the rear of the home into a rounded turret overlooking a ravine.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Directed by Mohammed Ali Naqvi, the Sundance 2026 doc tells the story of the high-stakes rescue of six schoolboys and two adults trapped in a cable car 900 feet above a ravine in the remote Himalayan foothills of northern Pakistan.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of ravine

Phrases Containing trench

Browse Nearby Words

tremulous
trench
trenchancy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trench. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on trench

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trench

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of galore

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All